Living with Dercum's Disease

So you all know I have this from past blogs....

What's it like living with Dercum's?

It's a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. It's thinking you're feeling pretty good and ready to tackle anything; then standing up and discovering you barely have the energy to take out the trash. It's knowing that every time you see a new doctor you're going to have to explain about Dercum's and possibly be met with skepticism or worse. It's having a friend who tells you that when she's in pain she thinks of a younger person who just died and that lessens her pain. And she doesn't understand why that doesn't work for you. It's giving up the things you could always do like shop, work out, do housework, work full time, etc. because you no longer have the strength or the ability to focus or the activity will result in a painful flare. It's realizing you've gone from "I can do anything" to saying at least once a day "I can't do it."

On the other hand... it's discovering that you are now part of an amazing new family in Dercum's world. Through online support groups, facebook and email you begin to know each person and think of each as a family member and friend. It's the relief that comes with finally getting a diagnosis and then finding a doctor who will work with you to treat it. It's the excitement that comes with knowing that you are part of a group of people who WILL make a difference in how Dercum's is viewed and treated.

I hang on with the firm belief that I have this for a reason and I'm going to do my best to serve that purpose each day.

I have a Dercum's blog now. (This is also on there.) It is chickwithdd.blogspot.com

Stop by sometime!